NEWS RELEASE
PORCUPINE HEALTH UNIT
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Following safe cycling practices, such as wearing a helmet and having a properly adjusted bike, mean your kids can be safe on the road within your community.
This is the message being shared during Parachute’s Safe Kids Week, May 4-10, 2015.
Cycling is a leading cause of unintentional injury hospitalization in Canadian kids under the age of 14.
Parachute and the Porcupine Health Unit are encouraging Canadians to become aware of the importance of cycling safety in order to prevent riding related injuries this summer.
Head injuries are the No. 1 cause of serious injury and death to kids on bicycles.
A properly fitted and correctly worn helmet can make a dramatic difference, cutting the risk of serious head injury by up to 80 percent.
“Families riding together to help educate kids is key. By partnering with community-based organizations like the Porcupine Health Unit we’re ensuring the right prevention tools are available to families during Parachute’s Safe Kids Week as well as throughout the summer months,” says Louise Logan, Parachute’s President and CEO.
Now in its 19th year, Parachute Safe Kids Week is an annual public awareness campaign designed to raise awareness about the frequency and severity of preventable childhood injuries, which are the leading cause of death amongst Canadian children.
The annual national campaign is held in communities across Canada, including Northern Ontario.
Parachute has developed and is sharing numerous resources of interest to parents, community organizations, and other interested individuals.
These are available online at www.parachutecanada.org.
The Porcupine Health Unit is located in Northeastern Ontario, serving the entire Cochrane District and Hornepayne, in Algoma District.
The main office is located in Timmins, Ontario, with branch offices in Cochrane, Hearst, Hornepayne, Iroquois Falls, Kapuskasing, Matheson, Moosonee and Smooth Rock Falls.
Parachute is dedicated to preventing injuries and saving lives.
A national charity, Parachute officially formed in July 2012, when the former Safe Communities Canada, Safe Kids Canada, SMARTRISK, and ThinkFirst Canada joined together to become one leader in injury prevention.
Parachute’s injury prevention solutions, knowledge mobilization, public policy, and social awareness efforts are designed to help keep Canadians safe.
Parachute’s vision is an injury-free Canada, with Canadians living long lives to the fullest.
For information, visit us at parachutecanada.org, follow us on Twitter, or join us on Facebook.
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